About Elevation Friesians, LLC

Elevation Friesians, LLC was, in the past, a breeder of purebred Friesian horses; a member in good standing with the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA) and the royal studbook Dutch registry, De Koninklijke Vereniging Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (FPS).

Now based out of Chatsworth, California, Elevation Friesians, LLC is partnered with Sean Cunningham and STC Dressage, LLC.  Please visit our STC Dressage, LLC website to learn more about how to “take your ride to the next level!”

Previously, in Colorado, I had three FPS/FHANA Friesian mares, two more modern in Friesian type and one baroque mare, as well as their combined three foals.  My sweet mares have moved to their new forever homes and are spoiled more rotten than I could even spoil them!  I still maintain ownership of my two precious Miniature horses, though they live with friends at the moment.  I would take them to nursing homes & hospitals, and out for the occasional bike ride or walk when they lived with me, and hope to have them back in my yard again soon.

I did not import my mares, they were all US bred horses.  All breeding was done at the ranch, assuring the safety and health of the mare and foal. I raised one foal in 2007 and two in 2009. I strongly recommend avoiding the hassles and problems of importing by buying direct from the breeder!

I, of course, was always very careful in my selection of the Friesian mares and stallions, as my goals were to preserve type and the betterment of the breed. Between Sean and I, we have numerous resources, a rich history with Friesians, and a vast wealth of knowledge in the Friesian breed. You are always welcome to contact us if you have questions or you’d just like to talk about this wonderful horse.

We are passionate about horses and love to share that passion with others. Elevation Friesians, LLC was established to realize my lifelong dream of raising Friesian horses. Though I no longer have my ranch, I highly recommend visiting a Friesian breeder near you so you too can experience the breathtaking beauty, wonderful temperament, and awe-inspiring elevated movement of the magnificent Friesian breed in person.

The Fever

I have had a pony on my Christmas list since before I could write… and I caught the Friesian Fever when the first Friesian Breyer model horse came out.

My precious American Miniature Horses, Moon (AMHR) & Milly (AMHA/AMHR) were the first horses to come to Elevation Friesians, LLC. Five months later, my first Friesian, Rianne fan Toerenberg, arrived. I waited 25 years for this amazing Friesian mare and she was all that a girl could ever wish for.

They say Friesians are like potato chips… Much better in handfuls! So Iszabelle, my second Friesian mare, arrived in April, 2007… and a month later her FPS/FHANA foal, Zanneke, was born! Sadly, the following year, Iszabella lost her foal 6 months in-utero… and then the ultimate tragedy struck. In April of 2008, my dream come true mare, Rianne, passed away, with her Teade foal, in labor.  This was a devastating year.

Later that year, I was grateful to have found 5-yr old Joy fan Bonnie View. Both Joy and Bella foaled out Champion foals in June 2009. Joy was bred for a 2010 Gypsy-Friesian cross, but she also lost her foal at 9 months in-utero.  I can now say I have lost four and been owned by six magical Friesians in my lifetime. The blessings were countless, though I am no longer breeding because of all the heartbreak. Buyer beware! Friesians are a fragile breed!!!

My Other Non-Horsey Interests

I Live and Love Life!

Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you. – Ghandi

Look around, you’ll find links on this site to a few of my other passions…

I have a BA in International Business from Fort Lewis college, graduating Beta Gamma Sigma in 2005. I spent my last semester living in France. I attended the Université de Savoie in Chambéry, located in the heart of the Rhone-Alps region.

I love to travel the world, and have many many places still on my list of places to go. While living in France, I visited most of Western Europe, and have also been to Egypt, Turkey (Istanbul is my #1 FAV city in the world thus far…), Hawaii, Mexico, and much of the US. After graduation from Fort Lewis, I worked for the Center for Creative Leadership, as my non-barn ”day job”, and I was able to travel for the international non-profit organization. I left CCL and Colorado to partner with Sean for all things horses. We travel often for shows, went to the World Equestrian Games in 2010, and have the Olympics in our sights for Sean.  My current bucket list has Central America, Australia, Nepal, and (all of) South America. Perhaps it even has London 2012??

I now have the coolest job in the Universe with the Brewers Association, based out of Boulder, CO. I get to travel the nation in support of America’s craft beer. The community is amazing, my colleagues are awesome, I get to go to beautiful places for fun beer festivals, and I get to enjoy delicious craft beer for my career. Its truly a dream of a profession.

I also enjoy big mountain and deep powder snow skiing, gardening, sushi, live music from talented musicians, roller coasters, Burning Man, technical cross country/downhill mountain biking, cooking, fine cuisine and dining out, camping, climbing Fourteeners, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, and I adore quality wines and  craft brews! We are owned by a few silly kitties and the best horse show dog ever.

We live a blessed life!